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Others have already answered the first part of the question ("is it true?"). I would like to address the second part ("Why was such a design made?").

The ISS was build in parts over the course of several years. That means it was necessary to first launch those modules which were vital to the survival of the station and then launch any of the more science-oriented modules.

The first module was the Functional Cargo Block module, which provided electrical power, propulsion and guidance. This module made sure that the station itself could maintain its orbit (at that point it still autonomous). The second (major) module was the service module which provided life support and made the station habitable for a crew.

The project planners handed the responsibility for these module to Russia who named them Zarya and Zvezda. At that time Russia had the most experience with building and maintaining a habitable space station due to the Mir project. That meant the responsibility for the two most survival-critical modules was well-placed in their hands.

After these modules were in orbit, adding other modules providing the same functionality would have been redundant and a waste of the already tight budget of the project.

Others have already answered the first part of the question ("is it true?"). I would like to address the second part ("Why was such a design made?").

The ISS was launched in parts over the course of several years. That means it was necessary to first launch those modules which were vital to the survival of the station and then launch any of the more science-oriented modules.

The first module was the Functional Cargo Block module, which provided electrical power, propulsion and guidance. This module made sure that the station itself could maintain its orbit (at that point it was still autonomous). The second (major) module was the service module which provided life support and made the station habitable for a crew.

The project planners handed the responsibility for these modules to Russia who named them Zarya and Zvezda. At that time Russia had the most experience with building and maintaining a habitable space station due to the Mir project. That meant the responsibility for the two most survival-critical modules was well-placed in their hands.

After these modules were in orbit, adding other modules providing the same functionality would have been redundant and a waste of the already tight budget of the project.

Others have already answered the first part of the question ("is it true?"). I would like to address the second part ("Why was such a design made?").

The ISS was build in parts over the course of several years. That means it was necessary to first launch those modules which were vital to the survival of the station and then launch any of the more science-oriented modules.

The first module was the Functional Cargo Block module, which provided electrical power, storage, propulsion and guidance. This module made sure that the station itself could maintain its orbit (at that point it still autonomous). The second (major) module was the service module which provided life support and made the station habitable for a crew.

The project planners handed the responsibility for these module to Russia who named them Zarya and Zvezda. At that time Russia had the most experience with building and maintaining a habitable space station due to the Mir project. That meant the responsibility for the two most survival-critical modules was well-placed in their hands.

After these modules were in orbit, adding other modules providing the same functionality would have been redundant and a waste of the already tight budget of the project.

Others have already answered the first part of the question ("is it true?"). I would like to address the second part ("Why was such a design made?").

The ISS was build in parts over the course of several years. That means it was necessary to first launch those modules which were vital to the survival of the station and then launch any of the more science-oriented modules.

The first module was the Functional Cargo Block module, which provided electrical power, propulsion and guidance. This module made sure that the station itself could maintain its orbit (at that point it still autonomous). The second (major) module was the service module which provided life support and made the station habitable for a crew.

The project planners handed the responsibility for these module to Russia who named them Zarya and Zvezda. At that time Russia had the most experience with building and maintaining a habitable space station due to the Mir project. That meant the responsibility for the two most survival-critical modules was well-placed in their hands.

After these modules were in orbit, adding other modules providing the same functionality would have been redundant and a waste of the already tight budget of the project.

Others have already answered the first part of the question ("is it true?"). I would like to address the second part ("Why was such a design made?").

The ISS was build in parts over the course of several years. That means it was necessary to launch those modules which were vital to the survival of the station first and then launch any of the more specialized modules.

The first module was the Functional Cargo Block module, which provided electrical power, storage, propulsion and guidance. This module made sure that the station itself could maintain its orbit. The second (major) module was the service module which provided life support and made the station habitable for a permanent crew.

The project planners handed the responsibility for these module to Russia who named them Zarya and Zvezda. This was a reasonable decision, because at that time Russia had the most experience with building and maintaining a habitable space station due to the Mir project.

After these modules were in orbit, adding other modules providing the same functionality would have been redundant and a waste of the already tight budget of the project.

Others have already answered the first part of the question ("is it true?"). I would like to address the second part ("Why was such a design made?").

The ISS was build in parts over the course of several years. That means it was necessary to first launch those modules which were vital to the survival of the station and then launch any of the more science-oriented modules.

The first module was the Functional Cargo Block module, which provided electrical power, storage, propulsion and guidance. This module made sure that the station itself could maintain its orbit (at that point it still autonomous). The second (major) module was the service module which provided life support and made the station habitable for a crew.

The project planners handed the responsibility for these module to Russia who named them Zarya and Zvezda. At that time Russia had the most experience with building and maintaining a habitable space station due to the Mir project. That meant the responsibility for the two most survival-critical modules was well-placed in their hands.

After these modules were in orbit, adding other modules providing the same functionality would have been redundant and a waste of the already tight budget of the project.